ED attaches ₹136 crore assets in illegal coal mining case, total hits ₹815 crore
Synopsis
The ED has now attached over ₹815 crore in a single coal pilferage case — a staggering figure that underlines the alleged scale of the Anup Majee syndicate's operations in ECL leasehold areas of West Bengal. With shell companies, resort investments, and alleged official complicity all on record, investigators say multiple layers of the laundering network are still being unravelled.
Key Takeaways
The ED provisionally attached assets worth ₹136.44 crore on 16 October 2026 under the PMLA in an illegal coal mining case.
Total attachments in the case now stand at ₹815.08 crore , after earlier attachments of ₹678.64 crore .
The alleged syndicate was led by Anup Majee alias Lala , with operations in Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) leasehold areas.
Attached assets include two eco-tourism resorts in Purulia and Bankura , two Kolkata properties, bank balances, shares, and mutual fund investments.
The syndicate allegedly used shell companies and accommodation entries to launder cash proceeds from illegal coal sales to West Bengal factories.
The ED says its investigation is ongoing to identify further beneficiaries and entities in the laundering network.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached assets and proceeds of crime worth ₹136.44 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with its ongoing probe into alleged large-scale illegal coal mining and pilferage in the leasehold areas of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), the agency said on Friday, 16 October 2026. The latest action pushes the total value of attachments in the case to ₹815.08 crore, making it one of the largest PMLA attachment exercises linked to the coal sector in recent years.
The Syndicate at the Centre
According to the ED, the alleged illegal activities were carried out by a syndicate led by Anup Majee, also known as Lala. Investigators found that the network was involved in the unlawful excavation and large-scale pilferage of coal from ECL's leasehold zones, which was subsequently sold for cash to various factories in West Bengal, reportedly with the assistance of local administration officials.
To conceal and layer the proceeds generated from these alleged activities, the syndicate reportedly acquired and operated several shell or jamakharchi companies. These entities were allegedly controlled by Majee but held in the names of his relatives, employees, and key associate Gurupada Majee.
How the Money Was Laundered
The ED alleged that cash generated from the illegal sale of coal was routed through these front companies using accommodation entries and deposited into their bank accounts to obscure the origin and ownership of funds. Proceeds of crime were also reportedly invested in resorts beneficially owned by Anup Majee, the agency stated.
Assets Covered in the Latest Order
The latest Provisional Attachment Order covers a range of assets including two hotel-cum-resorts — Garh Panchakot Eco Tourism in Purulia and Biharinath Eco Tourism in Bankura — two properties in Kolkata, balances in bank accounts of the alleged shell companies, and shares and mutual fund investments held by members of the Majee family.
Cumulative Scale of the Crackdown
The ED had previously attached proceeds of crime worth ₹678.64 crore in the same case. The addition of ₹136.44 crore in the latest order brings cumulative attachments to ₹815.08 crore. This comes amid a broader national push to dismantle coal pilferage networks that have long been alleged to operate with the complicity of local officials and political networks in eastern India.
Investigation Continues
The agency stated it is continuing its probe to unravel further layers of the alleged money-laundering network, trace ultimate beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime, and identify other individuals and entities suspected of involvement. The ED's findings so far suggest a sophisticated financial architecture designed to insulate the syndicate's leadership from direct exposure to illicit funds.
Point of View
Not an isolated enterprise. The alleged involvement of local administration officials — if proven — points to a protected network, not a rogue operator. What is notable here is the sophistication of the financial layering: resorts, shell companies, mutual funds, and family-name proxies suggest legal and financial facilitation that goes well beyond a few mine-level operatives. The ED's continued investigation will be watched for whether it climbs the political and bureaucratic ladder, or stops at the syndicate's operational tier — as has happened in similar cases before.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the ED attached in the latest action in the illegal coal mining case?
The ED has provisionally attached assets worth ₹136.44 crore, including two eco-tourism resorts in Purulia and Bankura, two properties in Kolkata, bank account balances of alleged shell companies, and shares and mutual fund investments of the Majee family. This is the latest action under PMLA in a case related to illegal coal mining in Eastern Coalfields Limited leasehold areas.
Who is Anup Majee alias Lala?
Anup Majee, also known as Lala, is the alleged leader of a syndicate accused of carrying out large-scale illegal excavation and pilferage of coal from ECL leasehold areas in West Bengal. According to the ED, he allegedly controlled several shell companies through relatives, employees, and associate Gurupada Majee to launder proceeds from illegal coal sales.
What is the total value of assets attached by the ED in this coal mining case?
The total value of provisionally attached assets has reached ₹815.08 crore. The ED had previously attached ₹678.64 crore in the same case, and the latest order adds ₹136.44 crore to that figure.
How was the money allegedly laundered in this case?
According to the ED, cash generated from illegal coal sales was routed through shell or jamakharchi companies using accommodation entries and deposited into bank accounts to hide its origin. Proceeds were also allegedly invested in resorts and other assets beneficially owned by Anup Majee but held in the names of associates and family members.
What happens next in the ED's investigation?
The ED has stated that its investigation is continuing to trace the ultimate beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime, identify additional individuals and entities involved in money laundering, and unravel further layers of the alleged network. Further action under PMLA remains possible as the probe progresses.
